On September 14, 2004, Olympia voters will be asked to approve a 3% increase in the private utility tax (paid on electricity, natural gas, and telephone bills).  The money will be split two-thirds for park acquisition and development, and one-third for sidewalks.

This measure would cost the average Olympia household about $60 per year -- sixteen cents per day.  The tax would be paid by residential, commercial, and governmental users of utility service.

For many years, the Olympia City Council has been considering ways to increase funding for both parks and for sidewalks.  This approach requires voter approval.  If a majority of voters approve the proposal in September, it would go into effect late this year.

The City adopted a new Parks, Recreation, and Arts Plan in 2003, and approved a city-wide Sidewalk Program a few months later.  Both of these identified a voter-approved increase in the tax on electricity, natural gas, and telephone service as possible funding mechanism.

In early 2004, the City Council appointed a "Citizen Advisory Committee" (CAC) to make suggestions to it on how to fund increased needs for parks and sidewalks.  The Committee completed work in April, and recommended a 3% increase in the utility tax, with two-thirds to three-quarters of the new revenue to go towards parks, and the balance toward sidewalks.

The City also has a standing Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.  This Committee received the recommendation from the CAC, and approved a recommendation of its own, to increase the utility tax by 3%, with 2% for Parks and 1% for sidewalks.

Currently the City spends about $750,000 per year for park acquisition from existing taxes.  In addition, new development contributes to parks funding through "impact fees" that help to pay for development of parks in new areas of Olympia being developed for the first time.  This funding measure would increase this funding sharply.  Initially, most of the money would be used for land acquisition for future parks and trails; once the property has been secured, development would begin.  You can read the entire Olympia Parks, Arts, and Recreation Plan with all of the details at:

http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par/about_us/plan/default.asp

Currently, the City spends about $300,000 per year on sidewalks, with $175,000 coming from general taxes, and the rest from state and federal grants.  A 1% increase in the utility tax dedicated to sidewalks would increase funding by about $750,000 per year -- a 250% increase in funding.

The Sidewalk Program identifies 83 miles of sidewalk deficiencies on major roads.  The total cost estimated was $54 million.  At current funding levels, it will take about 150 years to complete these sidewalks.  It prioritized these, based on proximity to parks, schools, shopping, and other pedestrian destinations.  The proposed increase would enable the City to build the most important 50% of these sidewalks, providing about 75% of the pedestrian benefit, within 20 years.  It is a HUGE improvement in walking for Olympia.  You can read the entire Sidewalk Program, with all of the details at:

http://www.ci.olympia.wa.us/publicworks/transportation/WalkingInOlympia.asp

What Can You Do?

1)  Help us spread the word on the importance of this measure.  

2)  Join us on our walks, meet other people who care about walking, and help us be more visible.

3)  Put up a yard sign, and help find locations for more yard signs.

4)  Agree to write a "neighbor-to-neighbor" letter telling people around you how important this is.  We'll help you write and copy the letter, but you'll need to sign it and deliver it in your neighborhood.

5)  Contribute a bit of money to help pay for printing, postage, and yard signs.  Contributions should go to the registered campaign committee for the combined measure:

Olympians for A Livable Community: 

Parks, Open Space, Sidewalks

1442 37th Ave. SE

Olympia, WA  98501

(360) 789-2373 (voicemail)

If you have questions, you can reach the campaign at:

olyparks@yahoo.com